zakzak Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Is the photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector (PVT) more efficient than the normal photovoltaic panels? Do you have some empirical data? Because many people are claiming that the PVT is more efficient than the PV modules, but I don't see any data. The information is theoretical: the efficiency of the solar panels decreases with heat and the pipes of the thermal layer absorb the heat coming from the PV layer, therefore, they should be more efficient. Which is true in principle but this is not enough, we need some experiments, some data. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndewJ Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 10 hours ago, zakzak said: Is the photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector (PVT) more efficient than the normal photovoltaic panels? Do you have some empirical data? Because many people are claiming that the PVT is more efficient than the PV modules, but I don't see any data. The information is theoretical: the efficiency of the solar panels decreases with heat and the pipes of the thermal layer absorb the heat coming from the PV layer, therefore, they should be more efficient. Which is true in principle but this is not enough, we need some experiments, some data. Can you please tell me more about this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hobson Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 On 13/07/2017 at 6:33 AM, zakzak said: we need some experiments, some data. I am quite willing to test them against my 3kW PV modules. But hang on my modules are 2 years old so that would be unfair. Send me 3kW of PV modules and 3kW of PVT modules and I will run a battery of tests. Oh talking of batteries my current bank is failing so a nice new Lithium bank is needed for the test. My address is Chris Hobson Roodeberg Farm Kendrew - just hope the courier can find me ibiza 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibiza Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 What about your Axpert? It takes only 3KW panels and PVT might produce more then that, so my advice is to you is to ask for at least one Infinisolar Super. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hobson Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 27 minutes ago, ibiza said: What about your Axpert? It takes only 3KW panels and PVT might produce more then that, so my advice is to you is to ask for at least one Infinisolar Super. I thought would not ask for an Axpert replacement on two scores Everyone might think I just wanted a massive freebie TTT would be given an opportunity to restart the Victron versus Axpert debate. Sidewinder, viper_za and Mark 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 2 hours ago, Chris Hobson said: TTT would be given an opportunity to restart the Victron versus Axpert debate. Nope, I'm done. Ek is klaar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibiza Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 9 hours ago, Chris Hobson said: I thought would not ask for an Axpert replacement on two scores Everyone might think I just wanted a massive freebie TTT would be given an opportunity to restart the Victron versus Axpert debate. Speaking of witch(es), I have a doubt where to go from where I am now. My original plan was to start with cheap inverters in order to gain some knowledge about solar and to wait and give a chance inverter manufactures to develop better and cheaper machines as this is always happening with electronics. So this is my dilemma: Three 4kw Axperts a enough for me and I am looking for similar size og better inverters. Infinisolar Super x3 would be enough for me Price is R60k but it is steel cheep manufacturer say it is Mazda. Victron (RR) Quattro 8000 cost similar amount of Rands but is little bit too small. I couldn't find the supplier and the price in SA for Victron 10000 and this is where my problem lies. I am calling good ppl to help me with some ideas. Regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakzak Posted July 15, 2017 Author Share Posted July 15, 2017 Does anyone have empirical data to confirm whether PVT are more efficient than PV or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 18 hours ago, ibiza said: Victron (RR) Quattro 8000 cost similar amount of Rands but is little bit too small. Do you have a grid connection? Do you mind offloading the peaks to the grid? I ask, because one big overlooked difference is that while the Axpert is a UPS with a built-in MPPT (the inverter must be capable of carrying the peak on its own), the Multi/Quattro can tie with the grid and take the difference from the grid. If the majority if your loads is below 8kw or maybe even below 5kw, you can get away with a much smaller unit. Also... if you can wait a while... there's always new developments in the pipeline :-) Chris Hobson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 1 minute ago, zakzak said: Does anyone have empirical data to confirm whether PVT are more efficient than PV or not? I don't think anyone here has tried it or even know about it. The closest I've seen was an Italian heat pump product that had a collector that you mounted on the roof (improves the COP so you can get away with a smaller compressor unit). This collector could be mounted below existing PV panels. The marketing material said that by harvesting the heat in this manner it also improves the PV yield. Of course... that's marketing stuff. And in theory it is trivially true. But it is far from the empirical and/or real live numbers/experience you are asking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibiza Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 24 minutes ago, plonkster said: Do you have a grid connection? Do you mind offloading the peaks to the grid? I ask, because one big overlooked difference is that while the Axpert is a UPS with a built-in MPPT (the inverter must be capable of carrying the peak on its own), the Multi/Quattro can tie with the grid and take the difference from the grid. If the majority if your loads is below 8kw or maybe even below 5kw, you can get away with a much smaller unit. Also... if you can wait a while... there's always new developments in the pipeline :-) Thanks for very encouraging answer/advice. @plonksterThis is what I was looking for but wasn't sure I can afford one as everybody sais "Vector is very expensive" but compering with Infinisloar Super Victron looks much more acceptable. Yes, I have a grid connection. No, I don't mind offloading peaks to the grid! Most of the loads are below 8kw ( between 5-7) so, I don't mind having Quattro 8KW if the price is not much higher than Q8000(6KW). On the end I must thank you soooo much as this is exactly what I want/need! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibiza Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 1 hour ago, plonkster said: Do you have a grid connection? Do you mind offloading the peaks to the grid? I ask, because one big overlooked difference is that while the Axpert is a UPS with a built-in MPPT (the inverter must be capable of carrying the peak on its own), the Multi/Quattro can tie with the grid and take the difference from the grid. If the majority if your loads is below 8kw or maybe even below 5kw, you can get away with a much smaller unit. Also... if you can wait a while... there's always new developments in the pipeline :-) I am almost sure that you know some think rest of us don't, do you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hobson Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 Hi Ibiza I would guess 90% of you loads are below 2kW and 85% are below 1kW. I am with TTT smaller is better. Don't aim to run the big loads off solar you have a grid connection you don't have to. If I was in an urban environment I would have a true-hybrid and be on solar during the day - Eskom at night and battery if the grid was down. Being nearly self sufficient gives one tremendous peace of mind but it does come at a cost. The above applies to residential installations, business or industrial installs change the goalposts and the rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 53 minutes ago, ibiza said: I am almost sure that you know some think rest of us don't, do you? I mean that in general the guys know who they are competing with and they are aware that Voltronic is improving their product and will continue to do so. Therefore there will be new models that will be more competitive. I cannot tell you when that will happen, what they will look like or what the price point will be :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibiza Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 23 minutes ago, Chris Hobson said: Hi Ibiza I would guess 90% of you loads are below 2kW and 85% are below 1kW. I am with TTT smaller is better. Don't aim to run the big loads off solar you have a grid connection you don't have to. If I was in an urban environment I would have a true-hybrid and be on solar during the day - Eskom at night and battery if the grid was down. Being nearly self sufficient gives one tremendous peace of mind but it does come at a cost. The above applies to residential installations, business or industrial installs change the goalposts and the rules. Hi @Chris Hobson, thanks for the respond. There are three families living in the house meaning 3 stoves,3 washing machines, two electric geysers and so on, and so on, multiplie by 3. We use between 25-45kwh/day. I had two 4kw Axperts for one year than I added a third plus additional 12 250w panels and that setting is working just fine for me (except on cloudy days) I am on solar during the day and on Eskom at night, and on the batteries if necessary. My aim is also to buy a hybrid. Firstly the plan was to go for Infinisolar Super but 3 of them will cost me as much as one Quattro. So why would go for Mazda if I can have a RR for similar money!!? And on the end: do you remember late Martin Luther King's saying :"I have a dream!" so I have one too, to show the finger to Eskom as I did to Hellcom. Chris Hobson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibiza Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 40 minutes ago, plonkster said: I mean that in general the guys know who they are competing with and they are aware that Voltronic is improving their product and will continue to do so. Therefore there will be new models that will be more competitive. I cannot tell you when that will happen, what they will look like or what the price point will be :-) And I meant you were talking about Victrom as you were/are in the Dutchland! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 2 hours ago, ibiza said: And I meant you were talking about Victrom as you were/are in the Dutchland! I unfortunately cannot comment on any of that. Obvious reasons :-) Chris Hobson and ibiza 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hobson Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 3 hours ago, Chris Hobson said: The above applies to residential installations, business or industrial installs change the goalposts and the rules. 3 hours ago, ibiza said: Hi @Chris Hobson, thanks for the respond. There are three families living in the house meaning 3 stoves,3 washing machines, two electric geysers and so on, and so on, multiplie by 3. This is more like an industrial install . ibiza 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper_za Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 On 7/15/2017 at 3:38 PM, ibiza said: My aim is also to buy a hybrid. Firstly the plan was to go for Infinisolar Super but 3 of them will cost me as much as one Quattro. So why would go for Mazda if I can have a RR for similar money!!? Remember to add the MPPT still probably looking at the 150/60 around another 8k x 3 for you then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibiza Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 21 minutes ago, viper_za said: Remember to add the MPPT still probably looking at the 150/60 around another 8k x 3 for you then? Thanks for reminder @viper_za, I must admit that I didn't count on extra chargers .. Well in that case I must go for Infinisolars again. Nothing wrong with Mazda but RR is RR. In next drawing I might have some more luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghatikar Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 (edited) On 14/07/2017 at 5:24 PM, ibiza said: Speaking of witch(es), I have a doubt where to go from where I am now. My original plan was to start with cheap inverters in order to gain some knowledge about solar and to wait and give a chance inverter manufactures to develop better and cheaper machines as this is always happening with electronics. So this is my dilemma: Three 4kw Axperts a enough for me and I am looking for similar size og better inverters. Infinisolar Super x3 would be enough for me Price is R60k but it is steel cheep manufacturer say it is Mazda. Victron (RR) Quattro 8000 cost similar amount of Rands but is little bit too small. I couldn't find the supplier and the price in SA for Victron 10000 and this is where my problem lies. I am calling good ppl to help me with some ideas. Regards You can Always try to get best of both the world by using both Victron and Axperts. I have used Quattro 5KW for only one phase to power critical loads (Lighting , AV receiver, TV, Booster pump , wall sockets - expresso machine, vacuum , Mixer etcc) The 2 Axperts in parallel supply 10 KVA to only my 4 no of inverter Aairconditioners and washing machine/dryers ( had to separate the wiring though) but separating the Loads was much easier than paying for 3 Quattros the rest of the stuff - Other Ac's Gardning supply , O/H water pump are on B phase In future, I will move only the Quattro to Lithium ( looking at FREEDOMWON) waiting for prices to drop below 150USD/KWH I also have a 7.5 KVA genie to feed the Axpets through DC coupling essentially preventing SOC going Below 80 % In Nigeria, We are essentially Offgrid ( 2500 MW for 200 million people !!) average power availability is 40-50 Hours a week Edited July 18, 2017 by ghatikar Added power availability Chris Hobson and ibiza 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 5 hours ago, ghatikar said: power critical loads (Lighting , AV receiver, TV, Booster pump , wall sockets - expresso machine, I love how the Espresso machine is a critical load :-) Chris Hobson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted July 18, 2017 Share Posted July 18, 2017 5 hours ago, ghatikar said: looking at FREEDOMWON There's some new stuff going into the new MPPT firmware that will allow the BMS to control certain aspects of the MPPTs. Not officially released yet, still in testing, but as always only a firmware upgrade away :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibiza Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Thanks to all good ppl who helped me with their advices regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghatikar Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 On 7/18/2017 at 9:06 PM, plonkster said: I love how the Espresso machine is a critical load :-) Cup of Joe comes first before lighting load in my Table of load calculations. Back in 2008 I had selected 3.5 KVA inverter at astronomical price just so that my expresso timer would not reset overnight and the boiler was hot in the morning for the first cup. The family was a;o happy as the DSTV decoder ( dualview at that time) also got fulltime power thus ensuring no missed recordings Chris Hobson 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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